Gaelic Knights stumble after reaching no. 3 in state rankings

When the first state Class C girls lacrosse rankings came out early last week, Bishop Ludden’s fast start put them all the way up at no. 3, its highest-ever ranking, with its neighbors from Marcellus right behind the Gaelic Knights at the no. 4 position.

But while the Mustangs had little trouble backing up that lofty standing in the days that followed, Ludden had to deal with the team on top – Skaneateles – and was dealt its first blemish, unable to keep up with the Lakers last Tuesday afternoon in a 15-3 defeat.

One hope that the Gaelic Knights carried was that conditions – grass, possibly mixed in with wind and rain – would slow up the Lakers, and that Skaneateles might have a letdown after its dramatic 6-5 overtime win over West Genesee on April 19.

It all proved wishful thinking, though. Skaneateles was steady and relentless as it worked its way to an 8-2 halftime advantage, and it never let the Gaelic Knights into the argument thanks to winning draws and playing tight, physical defense.

Seanna Laneve managed two of Ludden’s three goals, with Teresa Shattuck earning the other. Gemma O’Kane added an assist. Meg Farrell, in goal, recorded 11 saves, but the Lakers still rolled as Hannah Powers (who had the winning goal in OT against West Genesee) and Nicole Beatson led the visitors with four goals apiece.

Two days later, Ludden looked to bounce back when it played Cazenovia on the Christakos Field turf at Cazenovia College, but instead it took an 11-6 defeat to those other Lakers.

Both teams were quiet at the start, and the Gaelic Knights led, 2-1, deep into the first half. Then Audrey Burbidge put home the tying goal and Grace Milmoe’s conversion at the 20:04 mark gave the Lakers the lead for keeps.